Manchester United 'negotiating' with Benfica for defender Ezequiel Garay

MANCHESTER UNITED are in advanced talks with Benfica over the signing of Argentinian defender Ezequiel Garay.

Benfica defender Ezequiel Garay is thought to be close to a £17m switch to Manchester United

According to reports in the Spanish press, the Red Devils are close to securing the 26-year-old centre-back for a fee of around £17m.

Spanish sports paper Marca claim that Real Madrid are keeping a close eye on developments between the two clubs as they are entitled to 50 per cent of any transfer fee Benfica receive for Garay.

United are actively searching for defensive reinforcements this summer, with first-team regulars Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic aged 34 and 31 respectively.

Any deal for the Argentine international could be complicated by Real Madrid's sell-on clause

The Red Devils are close to securing Garay for a fee of around £17m

Garay is being scouted by Martin Ferguson, brother of manager Sir Alex, as a possible supplement to his other central defenders Phil Jones and Chris Smalling.

With Madrid watching any potential transfer due to their financial involvement in the player, and complications over third-party ownership, United could find negotiations with the Portuguese outfit tricky.

Garay has made 27 appearances for Benfica this season having made a near-£5m switch from the Bernabeu in July 2011.